By KETRA KALUNGA
MUSIKA has invested about $38, 250 in the Makasa fish farm out-grower scheme in Kapiri Mposhi district.
This is for the construction of three fish cages with a capacity of about 51, 900 fingerlings under the Making Agricultural Markets Work Project.
Mukasa Aquaculture Outgrower Scheme director, Royd Mukasa, said fish farming has the potential to contribute to the economic growth of the country if the right technical expertise is applied.
He said in an interview that the project which started in 2017 was already supplying fish to most parts of the country and was the only breeder and supplier of catfish.
MUSIKA project manager agricultural markets and nutrition, Jonathan Mwewa, said the project was aimed at addressing the nutrition challenges in the community.
Mr Mwewa said about 18 farmers would benefit from the project and ultimately improve nutrition among households especially those that are headed by women. Speaking in an interview, Mr. Mwewa said access to nutritious food had been a challenge for the Makasa community after the depletion of fish in the Mulungushi river which has for many years been its only source of fish.
“Our aim is to improve nutrition in the rural communities because malnutrition is rife in rural areas so the project aims to address malnutrition challenges and 18 farmers would be supported,
“Musika is going to provide fingerlings for the three cages that we have constructed with the capacity of 17 300 fingerlings each and that is a lot of fish for the community and the surrounding areas,” he said.
Mr. Mwewa was optimistic that the out-grower scheme would be replicated to other parts of the country in order to bridge the gap in fish deficit which is currently at about 89 000 tonnes.
And Makasa Fish Outgrower director, Royd Makasa, aquaculture has the potential to change the face of the country because of its abundant water bodies.
“We are the main suppliers of Tilapia and fingerlings, we breed catfish and we are the only ones producing and supplying catfish in the country,” he said.
He said the project was already adding nutritional value to the community which has about 90 percent of female-headed households.
The Makasa Fish Out-grower Project director commended Musika for the support given to the project and the government through the ministry of fisheries and livestock for the technical support.
